Papa Meets Old Crush

A Pleasant Talk on a Rainy Day

Izuku usually finished his reports faster than anyone else, thanks to his well-practiced skills of taking notes about heroes and their work. He used to think of it as his hobby turning into official work, so he felt fortunate.

However, today he was regretting his fast skills. Izuku wasn't allowed to leave first until he could cross-check his report with his companions' reports, who had worked together on the mission today. But Izuku didn't dare to check Creati and Earphone Jack's reports because it was only him and Katsuki alone in the small office. Katsuki seemed focused on his work. Izuku didn't want to provoke Katsuki into thinking Izuku had finished his work first. So, he remained quiet, rereading his completed report repeatedly, waiting for Katsuki to make a move.

The weather outside was rainy. The stifling silence in the small office persisted for a long time, too long. The only sounds were shuffling papers and the soft noise of the rain, filling the space between them. Izuku felt that the dim light and the dull sight were suffocating him, making it hard to breathe.

Finally, Izuku decided to initiate a conversation with Katsuki to ease his own discomfort.

"Um, well," Izuku cleared his throat nervously. "It's pouring outside. Not as cold as winter," he commented, looking out the window.

There was no response from Katsuki.

"These piles of paperwork are quite overwhelming! I never realized that collaborating with the police would involve so much formality. Haha..."

Still, there was no reply from Katsuki.

Izuku timidly shrugged, making himself appear smaller. Nonetheless, he attempted to stay positive. He understood he might be talking to himself without expecting a reply—he was still a bit of a nerd, not as sociable as he thought he would be. So, he decided to push a topic to be able to make a conversation.

"Did you have dinner, Kacchan?"

Another silence followed.

"I've come across some changes in the town that you might not be aware of since you left."

Still no response.

"I know a great spot nearby—"

"Hero Deku."

Finally, a reaction.

"You're distracting me. I'm trying to focus on my work," Katsuki snapped coldly, not even glancing at Izuku, his gaze fixed on his paper.

Izuku lowered his head, burying his face in his report. "Sorry..."

But it wasn't over. "And, like I mentioned earlier," Katsuki continued. Izuku tilted his head hopefully.

"My hero name is Dynamight. Don't call me by that nickname while we're working."

Izuku shifted his gaze toward Katsuki, hoping for some acknowledgement. But Katsuki was still avoiding looking at him. He didn't seem extremely upset. there was just a slight furrow in his brow, and he appeared somewhat... exhausted. Izuku noticed a hint of a dark circle under his eye.

However, the rain's shadows were making his eye socket seem deeper, casting his eyes in shadows that made it difficult for Izuku to read any emotions on his face. There was only one thing that was evident ─ Katsuki was intentionally ignoring him. It was clear that Katsuki was keeping his distance for some reason, not making eye contact in this moment.

Izuku recognized what was happening. He sensed the familiar emotional barrier that Katsuki had maintained during their high school days, particularly since the time of the house arrest.
A sense of sadness started welling up inside Izuku. It was a familiar feeling of being excluded from Kacchan's life once more.